The Pesa Company Unlimited is using a machine whose original cost was Sh.720,000. The machine is two years old, and it has a current market value of Sh.160,000. The asset is fully being depreciated over a twelve-years period. At the end of the twelve-years the asset will have a zero salvage value. Depreciation is on a straight line basis.

The Management is contemplating the purchase of a new machine to replace the old one. The new machine costs Sh.750,000 and has an estimated salvage value of Sh.100,000. The new machine will have a greater technological capacity, and therefore annual sales are expected to increase from Sh.10,000,000 to Sh.10,100,000. Operating efficiencies with the new machine will produce an expected saving of Sh.100,000 a year. Depreciation would be on a straight line basis over a ten-year life. The cost of capital is 12%, and a 40% tax rate is applicable. In addition, if the new machine is purchased, inventories will increase by sh.150,000 and payables by Sh.50,000 during the life of the project.

Required:

(a) Should the new machine be purchased? (Use Net Present Value (NPV) approach).

(14 marks)

(b) What factors in addition to the quantitative ones above are likely to require consideration in a practical situation? (6 marks)

(Total: 20 marks)